Almost half of Brits (44 percent) would consider trying a plant-based option because of the positive health benefits, according to a new poll.
The survey was conducted in September 2020 by Product of the Year, the U.K’s biggest survey of product innovation.
It discovered that ‘attitudes to vegetarianism and veganism have shifted colossally over the years’ after asking consumers to ‘identify factors that would encourage them to try a plant-based product including health, environmental factors, cost & packaging’.
Health
According to the poll, the most important factor for people when opting for plant-based alternatives is health, with cost and environment coming second and third place.
The research also discovered that people started paying closer attention to their diet during lockdown – which has continued post lockdown – and have been increasingly adopting flexitarian diets by cutting down on meat and dairy while eating more plant-based foods.
Plant-based innovation
In a statement sent to Plant Based News, Helga Slater, MD, Product of the Year, said: “Over the past few years we have seen more and more plant-based products win Product of the Year awards, with Richmond meat-free sausages taking top honors last year.
“And with a particular focus on health and wellbeing we predict increased levels of innovation in the sector with more plant-based products picking up awards in 2021.”